Mr. Economou stopped by the main library in downtown Worcester on Friday with his friend, Josh Lepoer. They said they wished the city had more public pools.

“There are not enough places to swim,” Mr. Economou said. Both men said they had planned to head up to the Dennis J. Shine Memorial Pool (also known as the Vernon Hill pool) later Friday to cool off.

In Worcester, the temperature nearly matched the humidity around 9 Friday morning. It had reached 79 degrees, with 77 percent humidity.

On the Fourth of July, the high temperature was 87 in Worcester. In Fitchburg, the high temperature on the holiday was 92.

Iced teas and iced coffees were flying out the door at Annie’s Clark brunch on Main Street near Clark University Friday, and the restaurant was busy with people wanting to escape the noon heat with a side of air conditioning with their burgers or omelets.

Chris Roy and his wife, Sabrina Brower, and a friend all ordered iced coffees and iced waters in an attempt to hydrate and cool off.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid,” Mr. Roy said. Though his wife said she doesn’t mind the heat, Mr. Roy said he does not like the warm temperatures. “I’m a heavy-set man; heat always bothers me.”

A few booths down, Randy Logan; Jim Mullen, owner Annie Jenkins’ twin brother; and Ken Johnson had traveled across town from Assumption College to have lunch. The three work in the athletics department at Assumption.

“The humidity is the worst,” Mr. Johnson said. He said he had been in Las Vegas last week where it was almost 100 but not humid. “I’d rather be in Vegas than here. It’s much worse with the humidity.”

The steamy weather is expected to continue into next week, according to the National Weather Service. There are chances of scattered showers and thunderstorms Sunday, with a stronger chance early next week.

In Auburn, the town has opened a cooling center at the Lorraine Gleick Nordgren Senior Center, 4 Goddard Drive. The station is scheduled to be open from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

There is no heat advisory in Worcester County. However, parts of Eastern and Western Massachusetts are under such an advisory.

Public health officials are urging people to take precautions for themselves and their pets as the heat continues, especially to hydrate and take it easy.

Sunflower, an 11-year-old toy poodle, was with her owner, Cheryl Ward, at University Park, also known as Crystal Park, doing her business and visiting with other dogs early Friday afternoon.

“She has her own air conditioner because she just lies on her pillow in front of the air conditioner,” Ms. Ward said. Ms. Ward said she brings a bowl of water for Sunflower in the car, otherwise the tiny poodle starts panting. “What we do for our pets,” she said.

Ms. Ward chatted with Julia Ramirez in the park, who was walking 5-year-old Chloe, a Peekapoo. Ms. Ramirez said her dog likes coming out of the house for a walk, but is anxious to return to her air-conditioned bedroom.

“There’s no kicking her off the bed,” Ms. Ramirez said. Ms. Ramirez rolled her eyes and laughed a bit when was asked if she liked the heat.

“I’m keeping cool with my air conditioning or my dad’s pool over the weekend,” she said.